Attractions in Dusseldorf

Altstadt
Sometimes referred to as "the longest bar in the world", the Old Town has over 200 bars, cafés and restaurants. Perfect for a daytime stroll along row upon row of converted old town houses or hanging out on Burgplatz, the busy square. Culture vultures are spoiled for choice with museums such as the Hetjens, the Film museum and the Palais.

Schloss Benrath
Located in the suburb of Benrath, this summer residence was erected in 1756-73 by electoral Prince Carl Theodor von Pfalz-Sulzbach. It is a fine example of the architectural transition from late baroque to classical architecture.
Address: Benrather Schlossallee 104
Phone: +49 (0)211 899 7271

Schneider Wibbel
Five times a day, people gather in front a chiming clock with mechanical figures that re-enact the story of Schneider Wibbel, a dressmaker who insulted Napoleon and was sent to prison, except he sent his apprentice, who died in jail. This cunning dressmaker has come to represent the typical 'clever Rheinlander'.
Address: Schneider-Wibbel-Gasse 5, Altstadt

Rhine Tower
Built in 1979-1982, this tower stretches 234.20 meters into the sky. It features a revolving restaurant with stunning views at 170 meters.
Address: Stromstrasse 20, Unterbilk

Carlsplatz
A former farmers market that is now the gastronomical paradise for locals and tourists alike. Here the  Feinschmecker can find absolutely anything.
Address: Karlplatz A6
Phone: +49 (0)211 88 00 356

As in most German cities, there's an Altstadt (Old Town), with a Marktplatz (marketplace), a Gothic Rathaus (Town Hall), and a few old buildings and churches. Near the Rathaus on Burgplatz are two of the city's most famous landmarks, the twisted spire of St-Lambertus Basilika (St. Lambertus Church) and the Schlossturm (Castle Tower), both of 13th-century origin. A short walk to the east takes you to St-Andreas Basilika (St. Andreas Church).

The Altstadt has been called "the longest bar in the world" because of the 200-plus bars and restaurants found here. The favorite drink is a top-fermented Altbier (old beer); it's a dark, mellow brew that must be consumed soon after it's made.

A walk up Königsallee, called the "Kö" by Düsseldorfers, will give visitors a quick overview of the city and its residents. This street flanks an ornamental canal, shaded by trees and crossed by bridges. One bank is lined with office buildings, the other with elegant shops, cafes, and restaurants. Here you'll see women dressed in the very latest styles. Düsseldorf is the fashion center of Germany. It's known for its Fashion Weeks, which attract designers and buyers from all over Europe.

If you walk up the Kö toward the Trident Fountain at the northern end of the canal, you'll reach the Hofgarten, a huge, rambling park. Here you can wander along the walks or sit and relax amid shade trees, gardens, fountains, and statues, almost forgetting you're in the very center of the city. Among the monuments is one to the poet Heinrich Heine. The Hofgarten is a good central point for seeing the city's major attractions -- nearly all museums and cultural attractions are on its perimeter. Towering over the Hofgarten is Düsseldorf's most impressive skyscraper, the Thyssen-House. Residents call it the Dreischeibenhaus ("three-slice house"), because it actually looks like three huge monoliths sandwiched together. Northeast of the Hofgarten is St. Rochus, one of the city's finest modern churches.

Düsseldorf continues its bold march into the 21st century, especially in its once dilapidated but now trendy MedienHafen district. Originally this was a flourishing warehouse sector in the 19th century. Today it is often a showcase for avant-garde modern architecture, especially in the office buildings and other works of Frank O. Gehry, winner of the Pritzker prize, the Nobel Prize of architecture. Of course, Gehry's far better known work is his celebrated titanium masterpiece, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain.

Düsseldorf's most striking example of his work is the ensemble of "organic" looking high rises at Neuer Zollhof. This trio of buildings with their wavy lines can easily be spotted along the waterfront. Yachts and luxury cruisers stud the harbor at the foot of the Rhine Tower of MedienHafen. For the best view of these avant-garde buildings, including Gehry's controversial architecture, walk down the water-bordering promenade, Am Handelshafen, beginning at the Rhine Tower, heading toward Franziusstrasse.